Praying for Others

There are many verses in both the Bible and in Mrs. Eddy’s writings that I have long loved. The idea of standing in the gap, is a very important one.

In Christian Science, we are taught not to pray for anyone who does not ask for that help. However, this is something a little different. This is more like what we do in our watches. If you have a loved one in your family that seems to be lost, you certainly have every right, because of your love for them, to “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30), to be praying for them, to know that they have the mind of Christ and that they can hear God’s voice. It is really our duty — and such a privilege too, and we can pray also for our community and for our world.

“Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power.” (S&H, page 192) That line is something I work with every time I do a watch, knowing if I am working unselfishly for others, I am receiving directly that divine power. That is a powerful thought. There is a beautiful prayer that we can say for anyone in Colossians 1 : 9-12, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

It is a pure prayer. You are not praying a personal prayer for something that you want for them, which is not prayer at all, but you are praying that they will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will; they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord; they will bear fruit in every good work; they will increase in the knowledge of God; they will be strengthened with all power; and that they will joyously give thanks to the Father. What a prayer is that! That’s what we all want, for ourselves and for everyone. This is the prayer that God’s will be done. A pure and righteous prayer for which I am so grateful.